We visited the builder in Taylors Beach to see the latest progress. Tony has advanced well considering he is only working weekends. He has fitted his Yanmar engines and steering, with his engine hatches also installed. It is clear to see the amount of thought he has put into these areas with all equipment well organized and laid out. Comparing the Yanmars to the Lombardini engines as used on Roam, the extra size is considerable however everything fits adequately. The boat is at the tail-end of construction and has mainly the hull sides to fit before moving onto the fairing and painting process. 

This boat has quite a bit of custom work done to it, namely a full interior, customized cockpit, extended cabintop, helm station with enclosed pod and foam core hulls. 

As soon as the hull sides are fitted we will bring you more on this project as it develops.

Wasting no time, the crew of Roam headed off the day after the shake-down sail, Friday the 18th of December. Averaging 9 knots for the trip they were back home in St Helens Tasmania on Sunday evening. Mick reports: "Awesome trip! She's sea-trialled now! Feels real nice, regularly hit speeds of over 20 knots with very light loads on sheets, rig and boat". They could easily reef downwind with the Harken slider system on the main which was originally a concern because they were not ball bearing cars. 

The trip can be viewed on the sailsurfroam website or below on an earlier news post.

The plan is to now circumnavigate Tasmania in the New Year and then across to NZ to do a lap of the North Island. Then across to Fiji!

Keep an eye on their site for more adventures! 

For those who are not on our mailing list you can view Craig's report on Roam's first sail here. 

We are delighted to announce the launch of the 24th Spirited 380 in Brisbane Qld on the 16th of December named "Bush Spirit". You may have read in a previous post where this boat was built at the back of the owners bush block. Access was via a rough 'goat' track and this is the same track the boat was brought down for launching! 

This boat will be sailing soon and we will hopefully have some sailing shots to post of 'Bush Spirit' very soon.

Congratulations to the proud owners!

This Spirited 380 was built literally in the 'bush' at a property in Cedar Creek outside Brisbane. The goat track to the building site behind their residence is almost unpassable in the wet and a challenge even when dry! The temporary shed structure required careful planning to disassemble in a way that wouldn't risk damage to the boat. This has been a family build through and through with all members of the family involved. The finish is first class and the eye-catching red stripe is definitely a head-turner! 

This project was started in 2008 with part-time dedication put towards it to see it through. 'Bush Spirit' is due to be launched prior to Christmas so we will keep everyone informed once we see the 24th Spirited 380 in the water!

Michael Hoult's 'Roam' is now rigged with an Allyacht Spars rig and now looks like a sailing boat! The boat was motored across Bass Strait to step the mast in Melbourne. The sails have been measured up and on their way but in the meantime Mick has borrowed a headsail to at least get a feel for Roam. Roam has settled in nicely on her lines while still floating high. 

For those who haven't seen the new 'RoamSailSurf' website its worth checking out with amazing photos of their adventures so far. 

We will keep you updated but if you would like to follow the Roam adventures you can join the mailing list to receive up to date news.

This Spirited 480 kit order is nearing completion. Shown here is the first resin-infused hull just removed from the mould. The kit will be shipped to the clients in Melbourne where they have already been working on their furniture, bulkheads and other smaller parts. Progress should be rapid once they receive their components and will be a case of assembling all the pre-made parts. 

We will keep you informed as information comes to hand re this project.